Sunday, November 13, 2011

Weird how time seemingly goes by so slowly yet so quickly all at the same time! Not everyone experiences this, but I certainly do. Reason being is that God is teaching me patience...actually its been a lifelong lesson but He's been seemingly teaching me this lesson through more extreme circumstances these past 3.5 years. 3.5 years. That doesn't seem like a long time, but to me it has felt more like 10 years. That may seem like an exaggeration but truly, time has seemed to inch by.

Being a full time working wife with multiple jobs, trying to support her husband through grad school has been one of the most challenging experiences in my life. My faith has been tried in so many ways. I am so blessed to have a job, but let me tell you, I have not had the easiest time supporting us. When we moved back to the Seattle area I was convinced I would have a stable job to support us through Caleb's schooling. Boy was I wrong. Over these past years I have gone through 5 plus jobs. Praise the Lord I have stuck with one for 2.5 years: personal training at 24 Hour Fitness.

Not everyone knows the life of a trainer. It is not easy...at all. I had no idea I was entering into such a challenging profession. I wanted to give up so many times. I got depressed within the first 6 months of this job and thought that I was stuck. A year and a half later, the Lord opened doors for me to get out of the mud pit I'd allowed myself to get into. I knew I needed a change in order to get my focus back. I thought for sure it would mean leaving 24 HF, but God had another idea...a transfer. So I transferred from a Kent location to a Seattle location. I was scared. I didn't want anything to do with Seattle.

Thankfully, I went through the door and have not looked back. Training life is still incredibly challenging: wondering if I am going to have any clients week to week, wondering if I am going to get paid day to day, wondering if I'm researching the right resources for my clients, wondering how many times I'm going to have to change my schedule around in a day. Wondering, wondering, wondering. All this "wondering" can be accurately translated as anxiety.
God has helped me tremendously to change my perspective. As long as I seek Him daily, I find the joy in every aspect of my job...no matter how challenging.
With this change, came the drive to change our living situation. We have lived in Caleb's grandparents' basement for these past 3.5 years. It is an old basement that had lots of stuff when we moved in. It's been a slow and gradual process but we now have a more roomy and homey place to live! I've been admittedly terrible about putting up pictures of the progress, but will hopefully kick into gear and get it done!

In the mean time, I'd thought I'd share a few things that I have found to love about living here...

This is what our windows look out to...pretty amazing. A new sunset every evening...never gets old!

The lake is gorgeous with snow!

Get to see unique things, like a blood red moon.

We get to see these kiddos way more often living right next door to Grandma and Grandpa Louvier! Our two nieces, Baylee Joy and Allie Rae are the 2nd girl from the left and the girl on the far right. Gracie Faith and Cayden are just like our niece and nephew too...we love them like family!

We love being silly with Baylee.

Cayden is my little man! I ADORE this buddy!

"Uncle Cayub" is a favorite of Gracie Faith and Allie Rae. They love him so much! Every time I see them with him , it melts my heart!I love this picture...I took it on our annual coast trip to Grayland...it was actually extremely nice weather this year!

So as you can tell, we are extremely blessed by location and people by living where we are! There is so much more I wanted to put on here but this post is fairly long, so I suppose I will continue later! Until then, practice what I've been trying to learn...PATIENCE!

2 comments:

You are ever transparent as you reveal the life of being a "Louvier" in these times. I am very proud of you, persisting and sustaining during rough times. You will be rewarded in amazing ways - that's what I believe. It is so wonderful to see your commitment and dedication demosntrated by your life, not just from what you say. I am one proud Papa!

You are stunningly resolute, committed and dedicated as manifested by your actions, not just words. This is commendable, and will be rewarded! I am so very proud of you my daughter, as you have transparently revealed the life of a "Louvier" in these ever so difficult times. You are a winner!